Letters to the Editor

Think the MLK & CPB Intersection is Congested Now?Most of you are familiar with the big vacant lot on the SE corner of Martin Luther King Jr and Central Park Blvds. It won’t be vacant much longer. The zoning process—working its way to City Council on July 10—would transform that vacant 3-acre lot into a possible 5-story apartment building with up to 224 units. That’s a similar density per acre as the new 5-acre Mint in 29th Ave Town Center. That means some 200 to 400 more vehicles at this intersection every day as they are trying to enter or exit the complex. Most of you probably feel there is already too much traffic on the two boulevards. And just think, the 399-unit Mint in the Town Center will be opening soon. Add to that the Punch Bowl Social Club and the large development planned near the A-Line Train Station. Plus the added traffic when MLK is extended from Havana to Peoria.

Most of the neighbors near the lot are opposed to a high-rise apartment building. First, it does not fit into a neighborhood of single family dwellings, row homes and paired homes. Secondly, it will increase the traffic and parking issues on our side streets. Many residents have children and are concerned for their safety. When the City Planning Board considered this rezoning application on May 3, some members had serious concerns about the proposal. They spent 90 minutes discussing it. Their split vote of 5 to 4 indicates how four members agreed with the neighbors present that this high rise construction was not appropriate at this site.

But of most concern to all residents of Stapleton is the increased congestion at this already busy intersection in Stapleton. If you agree, you must speak up before the Council considers the zoning application at its July 10 meeting. Contact Christopher Herndon, who is the Council member representing Stapleton. His email is Christopher.Herndon@denvergov.org. Your email (subject line MLK/CPB Rezoning) can simply state that you oppose the rezoning for the following reasons… and should be sent by July 7.

This is your opportunity to speak. After July 10, it won’t be.

John B. Venhoff

It’s Time to Reduce Drug PricesAs a mother, the health of my son who has asthma is always at the top of my mind. I also suffer from severe migraines that require expensive treatments to keep them at bay. Thankfully my husband and I are able to provide my son with the medications he needs, and what I need, but I often worry about what would happen if we were unable to afford our medications.

Prescription drug prices have been going up at a rapid pace, leaving many Americans unable to access life-saving drugs. And with little to no competition, drug companies can continue to raise prices without ramifications. This not only leaves individual patients worse off, it hurts all Coloradoans, as patients who cannot afford their medications get sicker and sicker, and may be left with expensive hospital bills that taxpayers will have to foot.

Recently, a bipartisan group of US Senators introduced the CREATES Act, legislation intended to speed up the approval of generic drugs. If it is signed into law, it could help to lower the price of prescription drugs as drug companies will no longer have a monopoly and be unable to hike prices, just because they can.

Our health care system needs a lot of tweaks and fixes, but the CREATES Act is one piece of legislation that can help to lower drug prices. I encourage Senators Bennet and Gardner to support this bill so that Coloradans are not denied access to life-saving medications.